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ANKARA: Rice: Intervention Against PKK Is A Matter Of Timing

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  • ANKARA: Rice: Intervention Against PKK Is A Matter Of Timing

    RICE: INTERVENTION AGAINST PKK IS A MATTER OF TIMING

    Anatolian Times, Turkey
    Sept 22 2005

    NEW YORK - "Intervention against PKK terrorist organization in Iraq is
    a matter of timing, not principle," U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza
    Rice said at a meeting with Turkish FM & Deputy PM Abdullah Gul.

    Iraq, PKK, and Cyprus were mainly discussed during Gul-Rice meeting
    in NYC, Turkish diplomatic sources said.

    Gul expressed Turkey`s views on Iraq, Afghanistan, Middle East,
    Caucasus, Armenian-Azeri conflict, terrorism, Cyprus question,
    Central Asia, Balkans and European Union (EU).

    -MORE PREPARED-

    It was reported that Secretary Rice said her country shared the views
    of Turkey as regards to the presence of terrorist PKK organization
    in northern Iraq, and stated that U.S. was determined to take action
    against PKK which was considered as a terrorist organization.

    Diplomatic sources said Rice stressed that taking action against the
    PKK was not "a matter of principle but a matter of timing".

    "U.S. is more prepared to take concrete steps against PKK," diplomatic
    sources reaffirmed.

    "Improvement of bilateral relations were also reviewed at the meeting,"
    the sources said, and noted that, "both parties have assessed that
    they are in a comprehensive partnership."

    Sources said some critical issues like Kirkuk, PKK, and Tal Afar
    were also discussed, stating that "it was observed that views on the
    mentioned issues were parallel".

    -U.S. THINKS OF TAKING NEW STEPS ON CYPRUS-

    According to diplomatic sources, Gul informed Rice about the ongoing
    EU membership process and she said that the Bush Administration would
    maintain its support to Turkey in this respect.

    What could be done further was also discussed while reviewing the
    steps which U.S. tries to take to remove the blockade against TRNC,
    sources said.

    Sources said Rice expressed her satisfaction over the information
    given by the Turkish officials and the policies pursued. "It has
    been assessed that U.S. could better understand Turkey on many issues
    today," they noted.

    -REACTION OF GUL TO EU DECLARATION-

    Meanwhile, Gul as a reaction to the EU`s Cyprus declaration, did not
    attend the reception hosted by foreign ministers of NATO and the EU.
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